Abstract: A sub-tank unit of an ink jet cartridge can contain ink for image printing therein. The sub-tank unit includes a container main body having a ink storage for storing the ink, a ventilation path enabling the liquid storage and the outside of the container main body to communicate with each other, a gas liquid separation member disposed to communicate with the ventilation path, and a capillary member disposed between the ink storage and the gas liquid separation member.

Abstract: In an ink storing container, movable members are properly constructed by molding sheet material into a convex form and are properly welded to a frame. The ink storing container is provided with an air passage section in which an ink meniscus is formed correspondingly to pressure relative to the atmosphere and through which the interior of an ink storing space is in communication with the atmosphere via an air path having a predetermined length. Thus, when negative pressure in the storing space increases, an air is introduced into the space via the air passage section. On the other hand, when the gas in the ink storing section expands to push the ink in the storing space, the ink can be kept in the path. As a result, the interior of the ink storing space is maintained at appropriate negative pressure for ink supply.

Abstract: Valves, ink delivery systems, and a method are provided for moving ink from an ink supply source to a printhead. The printhead ejects ink onto a print media to satisfy a print job. An inlet receives ink from the ink supply source within a central cavity of a valve. The ink flows through the central cavity to an outlet that is interfaced to the printhead. Moreover, the central cavity is segmented into first and second regions. In one embodiment, an Elastomer material segments the central cavity. The first region includes a seal adapted to close the inlet when the valve is in a closed position. The second region includes an actuation means for moving the seal to open and closed positions. Further, in one embodiment, the second region is humidified.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device including a head unit and a support member. The head unit includes a head member that ejects ink in a predetermined direction and a head-unit-side connection member formed with a first channel in fluid connection with the head member for supplying ink to the head member. The support member detachably supports the head unit. The support member includes a support-member-side connection member formed with a second channel. While the support member supports the head unit, the support-member-side connection member and the head-unit-side connection member are connected to each other with the second channel and the first channel in fluid communication. Also, the connection members extend in a substantial linear relationship at an angle.

Abstract: An ink cartridge of an inkjet printer is formed by an ink box, and an ink box cover. A connection portion thereof is formed with a tilt stepped surface. A top of the ink box cover is formed with a liquid filling hole and an air inlet. The liquid filling hole is at the same side of the output port of the ink box and the air inlet is at an opposite side of the output port. A plurality of posts are installed in the ink box cover. Thereby, after the ink box is melted-connected to the ink box cover, the posts extrudes the filling material therein to form an air flow path. Thereby, the ink in the ink box is supplemented from the farmost end so as to avoid that ink in one side is exhausted, while the ink in another side can not supplement to the output port.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer is described, which comprises a combination of dispersion agitation means, heated ink supply and printhead and tailored, heated, filtration regime. The use of this combination allows the printing of inks containing a non-magnetic pigment that exhibits “soft settling” upon standing.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead assembly for a pressure controlled ink jet printhead. The assembly includes an ink reservoir made of a first material having a first melting point and having an open top cavity defined by sidewalls, a bottom wall and a peripheral edge. A pressure control structure made of a polymeric material having a second melting point lower than the first melting point is included. The pressure control structure has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a side surface, and an aperture therein. A sealing structure for forming a liquid tight seal is provided between the sidewalls of the ink reservoir and the side surface of the pressure control structure. A pressure regulating film is attached over the aperture to the first surface of the pressure control structure. A cover is attached to the ink reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing a fibrous material for a member with which an ink-jet ink comes into contact, including the step of melt spinning a thermoplastic resin, the process comprising the step of treating a spun yarn by bringing it into contact with a glycol added with ethylene oxide.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a unitary body with an ink conduit between an ink outlet port of an ink compartment and an ink feed slot compatible with a heater chip has an ink conduit plug laser welded thereto to prevent ink from leaking from the ink conduit as the ink flows from the ink outlet port to the ink feed slot during use. In one embodiment, the ink conduit plug has a lid and an insertion portion. The lid has a laser transparent periphery that becomes illuminated with a laser light to weld an undersurface thereof over an opening of the ink conduit. Techniques for laser welding include an advancing laser beam or a simultaneous welding structure. In another embodiment, the ink conduit plug has two plug sections banded together with either a flexible material or angularly disposed links. The banded plug sections may or may not be laser welded.

Abstract: A head chip and a recording liquid storing unit are bonded through a sealing member. The head chip comprises a recording element base plate, and a flow path formation member provided with a bonding face and a supply hole. The frame member of the recording liquid storing unit is formed by a single member, which is provided with a recording liquid storing chamber, one side face of which forms a totally open portion. The shape of the opening portion is equal to the sectional shape of the recording liquid storing chamber. For the flat portion of the sealing member, there are formed a hole portion, the circumferential first face-side ribs that surround it, and the second face-side ribs, which are exactly symmetrical to the first face-side ribs, with the flat portion between them. These ribs are compressed and held by both bonding faces. An inner extrusion of the rib on the flat portion is fitted into the position hole of the bonding face.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprises an ink tank, a nozzle for discharging ink, a liquid chamber for retaining a specific amount of ink supplied from the ink tank through a filter, while supplying ink to the nozzle, and a covering member to be bonded to the liquid chamber, and on the circumference of the liquid chamber, a groove is formed to enable bonding agent to be coated therefor, and on the circumference of the covering member, an extrusion is formed to be fitted into the groove. For this ink jet recording head, gas releasing means is provided for releasing gas remaining in the bonding agent to the outside of the groove when the covering member is bonded to the liquid chamber by fitting the extrusion into the groove after the bonding agent is coated in the groove.

Abstract: A inkjet printer cartridge is described including at least one print head for printing data on a support, wherein a thin printed circuit is permanently fixed to the printer cartridge and a miniature data processing unit fixed to the printed circuit analyzes a stream of printing commands for controlling the print head to authenticate the data to be printed on the support.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet pen including a cartridge body having a printhead and a replaceable ink cartridge removably positionable on the cartridge body. At least one cooperating elongate recess and at least one projection are located on the mutually facing surfaces of the ink cartridge and the cartridge body. The projection and recess are engageable with one another for guidably positioning the ink cartridge to a desired position relative to the cartridge body.

Abstract: A method of cleaning spaced nozzles in a printhead of a drop-on-demand inkjet printer in which a slight negative pressure is desired in an ink reservoir in order to prevent ink drool from the nozzles, comprises: deforming a compliant pressure regulator membrane that covers an opening in an ink reservoir, inwardly at the opening, to decrease the ink holding volume of the reservoir; deforming a compliant valve membrane that covers an opening in the ink reservoir and caps an ink conduit projecting into the reservoir, outwardly at the opening and away from the ink conduit, to uncap the ink conduit in order that the ink conduit can provide ink delivery at a positive pressure into the reservoir and out through the nozzles to clean the nozzles; returning the compliant valve membrane inwardly towards the ink conduit to recap the ink conduit in order to terminate ink delivery into the reservoir; and returning the compliant pressure regulator membrane outwardly to increase the ink holding volume of the reservoir in ord

Abstract: An ink jet cartridge includes an ink jet recording head; an ink container for containing ink to be supplied to the recording head; an ink supply source connecting portion which is provided in the ink container and which is connectable with an ink supply source to permit filling of the ink into the ink container; a pressure reduction source connecting portion connectable with a pressure reduction source for reducing pressure in the ink container to permit filling of the ink; an absorbing material provided in the ink container, the absorbing material is capable of retaining the ink and functioning as a negative pressure source for the recording head; a gas-liquid separating member which is disposed between the absorbing material and the pressure reduction source connecting portion and which has a gas permeability and liquid penetration resisting property; and supporting members, disposed at respective sides of the gas-liquid separating member, for supporting the gas-liquid separating member.

Abstract: An ink cartridge (3) including an ink reservoir portion having a porous member (37) for storing ink and an ink supply portion (39) has an ink inducing element (47) disposed between the ink reservoir portion and the ink supply portion (39). The ink inducing element (47) is made of bundle of fibers in which each fiber is disposed in parallel to the direction of ink supplying from the ink reservoir to the ink supply portion (39), and one end of the ink inducing element (47) is press-touched to the porous member (37).

Abstract: An ink tank cartridge includes a housing with a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls forming a cavity. An ink supply member having a port extends from the housing. A seal member is inserted into the ink supply member for sealing the port. A retaining capis used to hold the seal member in place. The retaining cap has an opening to provide access to the seal member. An ink supply needle passes through the cap opening to pierce the seam member. The retaining cap has slots to receive ribs located on the outlet port.

Abstract: A contact structure for transferring an electrical signal from a main body to a print head, particularly a printing apparatus having a line contact structure, is provided. The printing apparatus comprises an electrical connecting portion formed at an end of the cable; a plurality of contact points formed at the electrical connecting portion, each in a form of a hollow projection so as to correspond to a circuit portion of the print head and having a hole form at an apex of the projection; a fixing portion for fixing the electrical connecting portion to the main body; and an elastic member interposed between the electrical connecting portion and the fixing portion and having a plurality of protruding portions corresponding to the plurality of contact points, wherein the elastic member presses the electrical connecting portion so that the plurality of contact points are in line contact with the circuit portion of the print head when the print head is mounted in the main body.

Abstract: Apparatus include a liquid container body defining a reservoir and having a vent aperture defined therethrough, and a quantity of expandable foam disposed within the aperture. The cured expandable foam can act as a vent plug to prevent liquid from leaking out of the container body through the aperture, while also allowing air or other such gases to pass through the aperture for venting of the reservoir. Methods include steps of installing a plug into a vent aperture defined through a liquid container body. The steps can consist of dispensing a quantity of expandable foam into the vent aperture.

Abstract: Inkjet pen apparatus include a pen body, a print head supported on the body, and a removable lid configured to engage the body by one of several means. Methods of enclosing an inkjet pen reservoir include providing a body that defines an ink reservoir, providing a lid configured to removably engage the body by one of several means, and placing the lid in removable retainment with respect to the body. The body and lid can include one each of a number of lid-engagement features, and body-engagement features, respectively, that are configured to cause the lid to be removably retained on the body.

Abstract: An inkjet printer having ink cartridge tape removal capability and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a frame and a slide bar attached to the frame. A carriage holding a plurality of ink cartridges is adapted to slidably translate along the slide bar. Each ink cartridge has a plurality of ink ejection orifice for ejecting ink drops therefrom. A take-up reel is connected to the frame, the take-up reel having a protective tape extending therefrom and adhesively adhering to the ink cartridges so as to cover the ink ejection orifices. Purpose of the tape is to prevent dirt, dust and other particulate matter from entering the ink ejection orifices during transport and storage of the printer and prior to first operation of the printer. When an end user of the printer first operates the printer, the carriage translates along the slide bar away from the take-up reel.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment of the invention an ink cartridge includes a housing defining a first fluid reservoir, and an air management system having a fitment supported by the housing. The air management system also includes an expansible bladder which defines a second fluid reservoir and which is supported by the fitment within the first fluid reservoir. The expansible bladder is configured to expand to thereby increase the second fluid reservoir from a first volume to a second volume. The expansible bladder is fabricated from a material having a shape-memory to thereby bias the expansible bladder towards the first volume.

Abstract: A mold configured to be coupled to a fluid ejection head die to allow a protective material to be molded around a plurality of contact pads on the die is disclosed. The mold includes a molding surface configured to cover the contact pads, wherein the molding surface is configured to support and shape the protective material during molding, and at least one side extending away from the molding surface, wherein the side is configured to contain the protective material during molding.

Abstract: An ink container includes a housing, a print head, and a fluid chamber. The housing has two inclined walls formed to divide the fluid chamber into a center ink well and two side ink wells. The housing also has two side walls, each having an inclined inner surface. The center ink well is formed between the two inclined walls. Each side ink well is formed between an inclined wall and a side wall. The inner surface of each side wall has a greater inclination than those of the inclined walls, so that each side ink well has a width decreasing from top to bottom.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a replaceable ink container for providing ink to an inkjet printing system. The inkjet printing system has a receiving station for receiving the replaceable ink container. The replaceable ink container includes a handle extending from a trailing end of the ink container for grasping the ink container for insertion into the receiving station. Also included is a latch for securing the replaceable ink container to the receiving station. The latch has an extended position for engaging the receiving station for securing the ink container to the receiving station and a retracted position. The latch is so disposed and arranged on the ink container to be urged from the extended position to the retracted position as the handle is grasped.

Abstract: Disadvantages relating to ink refill specific to an increase in a number of ink ejection openings in an ink jet print head is eliminated to provide a particularly excellent fast-response capability and ejection performance. More specifically, when an ink is supplied to a liquid chamber via an ink supply path and an ink supply opening formed in a support member and a print element substrate in a print head, and is then ejected from ejection openings, a pressure of an ink effected upon the ejection is transmitted to the ink supply path. This pressure, however, can be absorbed by air chambers via communication paths to reduce adverse effects of the pressure on ink refill in the liquid path after the ejection. In this case, since the air chambers and other components are structured to be closed with respect to the atmosphere, problems such as an increase in viscosity which are associated with communication of the air chambers and other components with the atmosphere can be prevented.

Abstract: Techniques for improving reliability of print cartridges that employ a fluid recirculation path within the cartridges. One reliability feature is provided by active heat management, wherein the recirculation path is employed to provide printhead cooling. Another feature is an in-printer printhead and standpipe priming technique. Idle time tolerance can also be improved, with the ability to re-circulate ink and purge air, to provide a mode of operation that can improve the reliability of the print cartridge during idle times. A “cleaning fluid” can be introduced that could break-up the sludge as it circulates through the print cartridge. Improved particle filtering is provided, through fluid recirculating through the system, passing through the standpipe or plenum area and across the backside of the printhead. As the fluid moves through this region, particles trapped in the standpipe get swept out of the area and eventually through a filter before reaching the printhead again.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a flow passage formation section and a sealing section. The flow passage formation section includes a plurality of nozzle openings, ejecting liquid therefrom, a plurality of pressure generation parts, corresponding to the nozzle openings respectively, a plurality of liquid supply passages, communicating with the pressure generation parts respectively for supplying liquid thereto, and a plurality of partition wall parts, each separating one liquid supply passage and its corresponding pressure generation part from another liquid supply passage and its corresponding pressure generation part. The sealing section seals the flow passage formation section. The partition wall parts respectively include liquid supply passage partition wall parts which separate adjacent liquid supply passages. The sealing section has a thick part and a thin part.

Abstract: A high shear ball check valve device is provided and is suitable for use in a liquid ink image producing machine to quickly and precisely control flow of liquid ink. The high shear ball check valve device includes a valve housing defining a valve chamber. The valve chamber has a desired cross-dimension, an inlet end, and an outlet end. The high shear ball check valve device also includes an inlet member that is connected to the inlet end of the valve housing and has an inlet opening and a ball seat and seal portion surrounding the inlet opening. The ball seat and seal portion has a desired first durometer hardness value. The high shear ball check valve device next includes a valve ball having a desired diameter and being located movably within the valve chamber, and an outlet opening located at the outlet end of the valve chamber.

Abstract: An ink-jet head comprises a passage unit formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a reservoir unit bonded to the passage unit, and actuator units for applying an ejection energy to ink in the passage unit. The reservoir unit is formed therein with an ink reservoir extending along a bonding surface between the reservoir unit and the passage unit. The ink reservoir reserves ink supplied from an ink tank and supplies the reserved ink to the passage unit. The ink reservoir is formed therein with a plurality of pillars supporting upper and lower walls of the ink reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet printer and inkjet print cartridge are each especially configured for inter-engaging with one another via a plurality of keying features of the cartridge and keying structures of the printer such that loading of a foreign print cartridge into the printer is either not possible or results in the printer being inoperative. Thus, only print cartridges particularly configured and intended to be used in the printer will fit into and enable its operation.

Abstract: An ink-jet cartridge includes a cartridge body forming an ink reservoir, a standpipe coupled to one side of the ink reservoir, a printhead formed under an ink supply passage formed by the standpipe, through which ink from the ink reservoir is ejected onto a printing medium in a droplet shape, and a filter which covers a top portion of the standpipe. The filter is formed in a convex shape protruding toward the printhead. Ink particles and bubbles flowing from the ink reservoir to the printhead are filtered out, bubbles which may flow from the printhead to the ink reservoir, move to edges of the filter, and the ink is smoothly supplied to the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid drop jet head includes a nozzle jetting a liquid drop, a liquid room connected to the nozzle, a common liquid room connected to the liquid room, a supply opening part supplying the liquid to the common liquid room, and a pressure generating part generating a pressure which pressurizes the liquid provided in the liquid room, wherein the common liquid room has a configuration in which a width of the common liquid room on a plane level is narrower as a point of the width is more remote from the supply opening part.

Abstract: An ink cartridge with a pressure-controlling module. The ink cartridge includes an ink reservoir in which ink is stored, a printhead through which ink from the ink reservoir is ejected onto a printing medium in a droplet shape, and a pressure-controlling module which is placed in the ink reservoir, by which the ink reservoir is maintained at a predetermined range of negative pressure, and in which a buffer volume to accommodate a rapid volume expansion of the ink reservoir is prepared.

Abstract: An ink cartridge including an ink storage chamber in which ink is stored, a cover to cover the upper portion of the ink storage chamber and a head to eject ink droplets in the ink storage chamber onto a recording medium, wherein the cover includes an inner cover to cover the upper portion of the ink storage chamber and an outer cover that seals the ink storage chamber and the inner cover, and is positioned at a predetermined distance above the inner cover. Also provided are plates to form zigzag air passages by blocking a space between the inner cover and the outer cover. With the ink cartridge according to the present invention, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the backward flow of ink contained in an ink storage chamber due to overheating of or careless treatment of the ink cartridge. Even if ink flows backward from the ink storage chamber, it is stored in an ink storage space, thus preventing the clogging of an air passage.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a unitary body with an ink conduit between an ink outlet port of an ink compartment and an ink feed slot compatible with a heater chip has an ink conduit plug laser welded thereto to prevent ink from leaking from the ink conduit as the ink flows from the ink outlet port to the ink feed slot during use. In one embodiment, the ink conduit plug has a lid and an insertion portion. The lid has a laser transparent periphery that becomes illuminated with a laser light to weld an undersurface thereof over an opening of the ink conduit. Techniques for laser welding include an advancing laser beam or a simultaneous welding structure. In another embodiment, the ink conduit plug has two plug sections banded together with either a flexible material or angularly disposed links. The banded plug sections may or may not be laser welded.

Abstract: Multi-compartmentalized ink cartridges for ink jet printers and improved methods for making the ink cartridges. The multi-compartmentalized ink cartridge includes a molded, open-topped body having an interior cavity and a printhead surface area opposite the interior cavity. A divider wall is integrally molded with the molded body structure and disposed in the interior cavity to provide at least three segregated ink chambers. The divider wall includes a first wall section and a second wall section attached substantially perpendicular to the first wall section. At least first, second, third molded ink flow paths connect each of the at least three segregated ink chambers with the printhead surface area. The second and third ink flow paths are oriented relative to their corresponding ink chambers for molding with a mold insert tool so that the cartridge body does not require a separately attached member to close mold insert tool insertion areas in the body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an elastic transformable body for adjusting vapor pressure, a vapor pressure adjustment chamber using the same, an ink-jet recording head having a vapor pressure adjustment device and an ink-jet recording device having the recording head, and more particularly to a vapor pressure adjustment device for adjusting negative pressure generated in a liquid chamber in an ink-jet recording head when discharging ink. The pressure adjustment chamber has at least one elastic transformation body having a changeable volume according to vapor pressure to adjust the vapor pressure in a container communicated thereto and a support for supporting the elastic transformation body to the container.

Abstract: A side plug for an ink-jet cartridge body, and methods of attaching the side plug to the cartridge body, are disclosed. The side plug seals a mold access hole in the cartridge body. The side plug is preferably formed of a carbon fiber filled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) material; the carbon content of the side plug allows microwave curing of the epoxy adhesive used to attach the side plug to the cartridge body. The side plug may have sculpted protuberances which extend into the cartridge body to form complex ink channels.

Abstract: An ink cartridge including a foam chamber generating negative pressure, with an air passage formed from an upper end thereof toward a lower end, an ink filter and an ink head. A part of a bottom of the foam chamber slopes down and the foam is disposed inside the foam chamber. An ink chamber storing ink is disposed at one side of the foam chamber and is divided from the foam chamber by a partition having a connecting opening connecting the ink chamber with the foam chamber. A cartridge cover closes upper ends of the ink chamber and foam chamber and has an ink inlet. The air passage is formed vertically and close to the partition and the air passage is disposed to slope such that a lower end thereof inclines toward the partition more than an upper end. Further, it is the connecting opening is formed at a lowest end of the partition and the ink filter is disposed at a position lower than the connecting opening.

Abstract: An ink cartridge, in which an appropriate negative pressure is maintained, includes a foam chamber generating a negative pressure and having foam contained inside, an ink filter and an ink head disposed therein and a lower part partially inclined, an ink chamber, to store ink, formed at one side of the foam chamber and separated from the foam chamber by a partition having an opening to provide a connection to the foam chamber, and a cartridge cover having an ink injection port formed thereon and covering top of the ink chamber and the foam chamber, wherein a lower part of the foam is formed to be larger than an inner shape of the foam chamber so that the foam around the ink filter is more compressed than the foam around the opening. The foam chamber has a lower part having one or more inclines and the lower part of the foam chamber is inclined downward from the opening to the ink filter. A lower part of the foam has one or more inclines.

Abstract: An inkjet pen and a pressure control device thereof. The inkjet pen comprises a body, a bag, a pressure plate, an abutting member, and a rib. The body includes a bubble generator. The bag is disposed inside the body, and communicates with the external environment so as to expand inside the body. The pressure plate, disposed inside the body and located adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the body, includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located near the bubble generator. The abutting member is disposed in the body, and seals the bubble generator. The rib is disposed in the body and located near the second portion of the pressure plate. The second portion of the pressure plate is maintained at a predetermined position by the rib when the pressure plate is moved by the bag. Thus, the abutting member is properly moved by the first portion of the pressure plate when the pressure plate is moved by the bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet recording head in which a buffer chamber connected to a liquid supply path can be cleaned effectively. The ink jet recording head includes a recording head unit having a discharge portion for discharging ink, a tank holder unit to which an ink tank for containing the ink to be discharged at the recording head unit, and a liquid supply path formed between the tank holder unit and a flow path forming member joined to the tank holder unit in order to supply the ink contained in the ink tank to the recording head unit. A buffer chamber containing gas is connected to the liquid supply path and the buffer chamber is provided with an opening portion. The opening portion is closed by joining the recording head unit to the tank holder unit by joining the recording head unit to the flow path forming member.

Abstract: An inkjet pen and a pressure control device thereof. The inkjet pen comprises a body, a bag, a pressure plate, an abutting member, and a rib. The body includes a bubble generator. The bag is disposed inside the body, and communicates with the external environment so as to expand inside the body. The pressure plate, disposed inside the body and located adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the body, includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is located near the bubble generator. The abutting member is disposed in the body, and seals the bubble generator. The rib is disposed in the body and located near the second portion of the pressure plate. The second portion of the pressure plate is maintained at a predetermined position by the rib when the pressure plate is moved by the bag. Thus, the abutting member is properly moved by the first portion of the pressure plate when the pressure plate is moved by the bag.

Abstract: An inkjet pen including an ink reservoir for storing ink and providing ink for jetting. A port, located on top of the ink reservoir, fluid-communicated with the ambient air, is used for adjusting the air pressure inside the reservoir. A valve, operated by a spring or a resilient element, normally seals the port, while occasionally opening the port to introduce air into the reservoir when the ink level is low and the underpressure rises. In other embodiments, an elastic bag is included in the reservoir that has an opening communicated with the ambient air through a second port formed on top of the reservoir. The elastic bag expands in response to the increasing underpressure generated in the reservoir when ink is being used. The bag expansion actuates the opening of the valve so as to regulate the underpressure.

Abstract: In a liquid ejecting head having a first liquid flow path communicating with an ejecting port for ejecting a liquid to be ejected and an element substrate having a heating element for forming a bubble from a bubble forming liquid as well as including a second liquid flow path corresponding to the first liquid flow path and a movable separation membrane for substantially separating the first liquid flow path and the second liquid flow path corresponding to the first liquid flow path from each other at all times, the liquid ejecting head includes an atmosphere communication port facing the atmosphere for communicating the second liquid flow path with the atmosphere, and an atmosphere communication path having an atmosphere communication path introduction port facing the second liquid flow path, wherein the atmosphere communication port is formed through the same surface as that of the ejecting port, whereby the liquid ejecting head can remove remaining bubbles in the bubble forming liquid by a simple arrangemen

Abstract: A liquid jet recording head packing method can effectively suppress the problem of leakage of liquid from a liquid jet recording head due to expansion of the liquid and/or the gas in the liquid chamber when the liquid jet recording head that is provided with a chamber for containing liquid is packed and subsequently subjected to abrupt changes in the environment. The liquid jet recording head comprises a head chip provided with nozzles for ejecting liquid and a frame having a second common liquid chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to the head chip. A joint rubber member is forcibly driven into each of a number of holes arranged in part of the frame and a pipe member is driven into the fissure hole of each of the joint rubber members in order to keep the inside of the second common liquid chamber in a state where it communicates to a peripheral area of the liquid jet recording head by way of the joint rubber members.

Abstract: A biofluid drop ejection unit for ejecting biofluid drops. A biofluid drop ejection mechanism of such a unit includes a transducer, which generates energy used to emit the biofluid drop. Further provided is a reagent cartridge or biofluid containment area which holds the biofluid. The reagent cartridge or biofluid containment area is configured to hold low volumes of biofluid and to avoid contamination of the biofluid. The reagent cartridge or biofluid containment area is in operational connection with the drop ejection mechanism such that upon operation of the drop ejection mechanism, biofluid drops are emitted. The biofluid drop ejection mechanism is a high efficiency device, and may be configured as two separate pieces or as a single disposable unit.

Abstract: A liquid container which can precisely detects existence/absence of residual liquid at a low cost, a cartridge including the liquid container, and a printing apparatus using the cartridge. The lengthwise direction of a triangular prism provided on the bottom of the ink tank is along a direction of print medium conveyance in the printing apparatus, such that when an ink-jet head cartridge holding the ink tank is attached to the printing apparatus for performing printing, light emitted from an optical unit of the printing apparatus is precisely captured by the prism. Further, if two ink-jet head cartridges are mounted on the printing apparatus, the first and second ink-jet head cartridges are set in positions shifted from each other by a length shorter than the length in the lengthwise direction of the prism, such that the light emitted from the optical unit reaches the prisms provided in the ink tanks of the first and second ink-jet head cartridges.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing device fluidly communicating with a main ink reservoir and a vacuum pump. The main ink reservoir refills one or more reservoirs mounted within the printing device when the ink contained therein falls below a defined tolerance level. The vacuum pump varies a level of a vacuum or partial vacuum within the reservoir to maintain a pressure level at one or more nozzles of one or more print heads mounted in the printing device. Variations in the level of the vacuum or partial vacuum can be based upon the desired pressure at the nozzles, the particular volume or level of ink stored within the reservoir, and the type of ink stored within the reservoir. Through creating the vacuum or partial vacuum, the inks stored within the reservoir are degassed before being delivered to the print head.